The Ethics of Addiction: Syringe with needle, drug powder, and a blue geometric shape on a dark background, symbolizing addiction issues.

STREAM
BEING HUMAN Conversation

DATE & TIME
29 JUNE 2016

LOCATION
THE ETHICS CENTRE

Is ‘once an addict, always an addict’ true?

From pill-testing to injection rooms and drug decriminalisation, what are the ethical beliefs that inform drug policies? And which of these actually help?  

It’s impossible to talk about addiction without opening an ethical Pandora’s box.

Drugs, poverty, public health campaigns, mental health, alcohol, spirituality…it’s a complex web of humanity and our various dependencies.

Catch up

Missed out on coming along to the live event? Watch the talk online below.

Photo gallery

Speakers

Monochrome portrait of a man discussing addiction ethics. He wears a suit and gestures with his hands against a patterned backdrop.

Matt Noffs

is co-founder of the Street Universities and CEO of Noffs Foundation, Australia’s largest drug and alcohol treatment service provider for young people under 25.

Smiling woman with brown hair and blue eyes. The ethics of addiction are complex and require a nuanced understanding of individual circumstances.

Annie Madden

is co-founder of Harm Reduction Australia. Annie was CEO of the Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) for 16 years until April 2016 and EO of the NSW Users & AIDS Association (NUAA) from 1994 to 2000.

Smiling woman with dark hair, wearing a red sweater and bird necklace. Discussing the ethics of addiction in the article.

Nicole Lee

Dr Nicole Lee is one of Australia’s leaders in methamphetamine research and policy. She Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) Curtin University and Director of 360Edge.

Headshot of a smiling man in a suit and tie. Ethics of addiction concept image. Professional with gray hair and a friendly expression.

Mick Palmer

Michael John “Mick” Palmer AO, APM is an Australian police officer and barrister. He was the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.

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Who is it for?

  • THE ADVOCATE
  • THE CURIOUS
  • THE HEDONIST
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What you'll take away

  • 01AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IT’S NEVER BEEN ‘US AND THEM’
  • 02SERVICE TO HUMANITY IS NOT A ONE-WAY STREET
  • 03THAT POLICY MUST BE GROUNDED IN THE EVERYDAY
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Things to think about